Latest: Southampton 1 QPR 0 – Chelsea man Bertrand strikes for the Saints

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On-loan Chelsea man Ryan Bertrand scored nine minutes into the second half to give Southampton a deserved lead at St Mary’s.

After Rio Ferdinand had given the ball away, Sadio Mane held off Mauricio Isla and cleverly back-heeled the ball into the path of Bertrand, who fired under keeper Rob Green for his first goal since joining the Saints.

Rangers were on the back foot from the start and were forced into an early change after Sandro suffered an apparent head injury after eight minutes.

The Brazilian midfielder, back after a knee problem, was replaced by Karl Henry following lengthy treatment.

Southampton, second in the table and enjoying their best start to a top-flight season since 1988, have been the better side.

They almost went ahead in the first half when Dusan Tadic’s shot deflected off Steven Caulker and onto the outside of the post, before Saints forward Graziano Pelle fired into the side netting from near the edge of the six-yard box.

Rangers, thrashed 4-0 in their two previous away league games this season, have been largely second best but their passing has been better and they have shown much more willingness to press the opposition.

Eduardo Vargas had got through plenty of work for them on the left-hand side in an attempt to track Nathaniel Clyne.

Even so, Southampton could be at least three goals up and Morgan Schniederlin missed a great chance for them on 44 minutes, steering his shot wide after being set up by Sadio Mane.

Rangers’ best opening came in first-half injury time when Charlie Austin shot wide.

But they were under pressure again straight after the interval and Mane’s saw a deflected effort held by Green before the deadlock was eventually broken.

And Ronald Koeman’s in-form team would have quickly doubled their lead had Green not denied Tadic from close range.

QPR (4-2-3-1): Green; Isla, Caulker, Ferdinand, Traore; Sandro (Henry 11), Fer; Phillips, (Hoilett 58) Kranjcar; Vargas, Austin.
Subs: Hill, McCarthy, Onouha, Dunne, Zamora.

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